Tyson (TSN) Farm Catches Bird Flu, Forced to Kill 73,500 Chickens

A Tennessee farm contracted to supply chickens for Tyson Foods TSN has detected a strain of bird flu. The USDA did not name the facility involved and said they will have detailed information about the virus on Monday evening.

Known as Highly-pathogenic H7 avian influenza, or HPAI, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported 73,500 birds have been impacted. In order to keep the disease from spreading and out of the food system, affected birds will be euthanized on the Tennessee farm.

This is the first known case of HPAI in Tennessee, says their state government. The infected facility has been placed under quarantine along with 30 other poultry farms within a 6.2-mile radius. After discovery of the news, Sanderson Farms SAFM and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation PPC are heightening their bio-security.

In a previous account of HPAI in 2014 and 2015, the U.S. was forced to kill almost 50 million chickens. Of the 50 million, most were egg-laying hens which caused U.S. egg prices to be pushed to record highs.

Tyson does not expect its chicken business to be negatively impacted from the virus. However, Wall Street is not taking the news as lightly. Tyson stock has dropped 2.53% on Monday closing at $61.99.

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